Ordinary To Badass

Think promotions automatically go to the hardest worker in the room? Think again. ... In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman—Lieutenant, coach, and host of Ordinary to Badass —shares why effort isn’t the deciding factor in moving up the ladder. From her own missed opportunity with an undersheriff to earning three promotions in a predominantly male industry, Marie reveals the real reason some women g...

Think talking about your wins makes you arrogant? Think again. In this episode of Ordinary to Badass , I’m breaking down how ambitious women can make their work visible—without the cringe. Because here’s the truth: promotions don’t always go to the hardest worker in the room… they go to the most visible one . ✨ Theme: Visibility & Advocacy We’re talking about how to stop shrinking, start shar...

Think thriving after a promotion should feel like a victory lap? Think again. In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the real reason so many women find themselves struggling once they’ve got the title. From being handed the keys to the kingdom with zero training to feeling like you’re leading on an island without a support system—you’re not alone, and it’s not your fault. ✨ Theme: Mindset Breakt...

Think chasing the title will finally make you feel fulfilled? Think again. In this episode, Marie unpacks the lessons from Pav’s powerful career pivot—leaving a $300K CEO role to chase purpose on her own terms. From ticking off all the “success” boxes to realizing they weren’t her boxes at all, this Badass Debrief is for anyone who’s secretly stuck playing it safe. ✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs...

Think financial security means staying safe in your 9–5 forever? Think again. In this episode, Pav—Corporate Climber turned Financial Coach and Freedom Advocate —shares how she traded corporate prestige for personal power. From burnout and rigid schedules to designing a life on her own terms, Pav gives us an inside look at what it really takes to own your freedom —financially, emotionally, and pro...

Think you have to lead like “one of the guys” to be taken seriously? Think again. In this Badass Debrief, we break down the biggest takeaways from episode 392 with Tina Irwin—former Navy Commander turned metaphysical powerhouse—and what her story means for your leadership journey. Spoiler: You don’t need louder opinions or more bravado to make waves. You need strategy. Clarity. And the audacity to...

Think you need permission to lead boldly? Think again. In this episode, Tina Erwin —retired Navy Commander, metaphysicist, and ghost helper—shares how she went from being the first woman in the room to rewriting the rules for everyone who followed. From being told “women don’t teach here” to teaching submarine captains when to launch a missile (no big deal), Tina gives us an unfiltered look at wha...

Think you need to check every box before going for the job or promotion? Think again. In this episode, Marie breaks down why not fitting the job description might be your biggest advantage . Drawing from Darlene Green’s powerful story, this Badass Debrief is all about rewriting the rules , owning your worth, and leading in rooms that weren’t built for you— even when no one hands you a map . ✨ The...

Think you need permission to lead? Think again. In this episode, Darlene Green —military trailblazer and health-tech innovator—shares how she went from being underestimated at every turn to commanding teams of over 1,200 people and launching a wellness revolution in her 60s. From being told women didn’t belong in the military, to being rejected for a job she ultimately crushed, Darlene’s story is...

Think leadership comes with a rulebook? Think again. In this week’s Badass Debrief , Marie Sonneman breaks down the hidden truths behind episode 388—and the gut-punch reality of what it actually feels like to lead in rooms that weren’t built for you. From crying in your car to losing friendships you thought were solid, this isn’t about being weak. It’s about being real . And Marie’s walking you th...

You think getting promoted means you’ve made it? Think again. ...The truth is, leadership doesn’t come with a rulebook—it comes with curveballs. In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman cracks open the real truths about leading in rooms that weren’t built for you. ... From crying in the car to calling out condescending vendors, this is the pep talk (and permission slip) every badass woman in leadershi...

Quitter? Or Leader? Why Walking Away Might Be the Boldest Move You Make Think quitting means failure? Think again. In this episode, Marie Sonneman flips the script on what it really means to walk away—from roles, relationships, or responsibilities that no longer serve you. Inspired by her conversation with Doris Jackson Shazier (Episode 386), Marie unpacks why sometimes quitters win —and how to kn...

Think quitting means failure? Think again. In this episode, Doris Jackson-Shazier —leadership coach, author, and the woman redefining resilience—shares why walking away isn’t weakness… it’s wisdom. From growing up in a neighborhood where no one graduated high school to leading 70,000 employees as a senior director, Doris rewrote every rule in the leadership playbook—and built her own damn table....

Think you have to hide your awkward to be taken seriously? Think again. In this solo episode, Marie flips the script on awkwardness and shows you why owning your quirky, unscripted moments is a leadership flex—not a flaw. From stumbling over your words in meetings to overthinking every sentence, she’ll help you stop editing and start leading out loud . ✨ Theme: Mindset Breakthroughs We’re talking...

Think Badass women never feel awkward? Think again. In this episode, Andy Vargo —speaker, author, and awkwardness advocate—joins Marie Sonneman for a joint conversation that’s part real talk, part pep talk, and all about what it really means to own your story. From canceled podcast interviews to closet doors that slammed shut on confidence, Andy and Marie explore what it takes to lead louder in sp...

Think you need to match the loudest voice in the room to lead? Think again. In this episode, host Marie Sonneman delivers a powerful follow-up to Episode 382 with a no-fluff reminder that shrinking yourself to fit a space doesn't earn you credibility—it robs you of your edge. From a story of holding silence for four months before making a leadership move, to calling out performative confidence...

Think leadership has to be loud to be effective? Think again. In this solo episode, Marie Sonneman gets real about leading in ways that don’t fit the traditional mold—especially in male-dominated spaces. From calling off a podcast interview mid-recording to holding steady in a chaotic work unit for four months before making changes, Marie shares why quiet leadership isn’t a weakness—it’s a weapon....

Rest Is Not a Weakness—It’s Your Leadership Superpower Think hustling 24/7 is the only way to prove you belong? Think again. In this episode, Marie Sonneman—your no-BS leadership coach and host—dives into the hidden cost of hustle culture for women in leadership. From saying yes to everything (and burning out in the process) to finally setting boundaries and reclaiming peace of mind, Marie gets re...

Think you need to hustle harder to prove you're a leader? Think again. In this episode, Jenny Lytle—former nurse turned life coach—shares how she went from burnout to bold by leading from a place of alignment, not adrenaline. From caregiving overload to discovering her true identity, Jenny breaks down what it really takes to lead without apology—even when your style doesn’t match the loudest v...

Think confident leadership means being the loudest voice in the room? Think again. In this Badass Debrief, Marie Sonneman breaks down what it really looks like to lead boldly without being loud . Inspired by her interview with executive coach Alison Wilson, Marie explores the quiet power of nuance, intuition, and trusting your inner voice in environments that often undervalue those very strengths....

Think resilience is just about bouncing back? Think again. In this episode, educator and leader Alison Wilson shares how she went from being overlooked and underestimated to fully owning her leadership—even before anyone gave her the title. From silent setbacks to quiet comebacks, Alison walks us through what it looks like to rise without the applause and keep showing up anyway. ✨ Theme: Resilien...

Ever feel like you’re trying to lead in a room that just wasn’t built for you ? Like you have to shrink, dim your light, or ditch the very things that make you you just to be taken seriously? Been there. Done with that. In this Badass Debrief , Marie Sonneman gets real about the trap of conformity—especially for women in male-dominated industries—and why it’s time to ditch the old rules and build...

Think leadership only looks one way? Think again. In this episode, leadership strategist and executive coach Kisha Wynter shares how she went from doubting her place at the table to confidently owning the damn table. From navigating imposter syndrome to leading as an introvert, Kisha breaks down what it really means to lead like you —no masks, no mold, just unapologetic power. ✨ Theme: Mindset Br...

After almost a year off the mic, I’m back—and I’m not easing in quietly. In this comeback episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on where I’ve been, why I hit pause, and what it really looks like to lead yourself when the clarity doesn’t come right away. This isn’t a highlight reel—it’s a real reel. We’re talking love, loss, meditation retreats, confidence that doesn’t always feel confident, and wh...

Stephanie McCullough is a financial advisor who is anything but ordinary. Pull back the curtains on her inspiring journey from feeling helpless and ineffective in her father's business, to becoming confident and successful in her unique approach. Other highlights include invigorating conversations about the power of asking the right questions, the emotional impact of money, and the societal ba...